Judean Desert Safari Experience in Israel
Descend to the Judean Desert via the Inn of the Good Samaritan, and view caves at Qumran. Meet the desert vehicle and drive to Metsuke Dragot, where we enter the desert with overview of Murabat wadi and the caves. Thereafter drive through the Wadi, the mountains, and view spectacular typical desert vegetation and landscape. End the tour with a swim in the Dead Sea. Late lunch stop for snacks/sandwiches on Dead Sea shore.
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• Judean Desert and the Dead Sea Day Tour
• Switch vehicles to a 4X4 jeep and head into the desert.
• View the Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found
• Hotel pick up and drop-off
• Includes all entrance fees
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Hotel pickup and drop-off
✔ Professional guide
✔ Includes all entrance fees
✔ In-vehicle air conditioning
✖ Food and drinks.
✖ Insurance.
✖ Full lunch is NOT included; Recommend you bring water and sandwiches
Pickup Locations
1. Grand Beach Hotel
2. Dan Panorama Tel Aviv
3. Brown Seaside by Brown Hotels
4. Leonardo Boutique Jerusalem
5. Agripas Boutique Hotel
6. Dan Tel Aviv Hotel
7. Jerusalem Gate Hotel
8. Alma Hotel & Lounge
9. Dan Panorama Jerusalem
10. David Citadel Hotel
11. Shalom Hotel & Relax - an Atlas Boutique Hotel
12. Sheraton Grand Tel Aviv
13. Grand Court Hotel
14. BY 14 TLV Hotel
15. Hilton Tel Aviv
16. Hotel Prima Kings
17. Orchid Tel Aviv
18. Dan Boutique Jerusalem
Itinerary
1
We drive south of Jerusalem descending through the Biblical wilderness.
Duration: 3 hours
2
The Good Samaritan Museum
On the way we pass the Inn of the Good Samaritan, site of the Biblical parable.
3
Sea Level 0
We continue our descent passing the point indicating that we are now descending beneath "sea level".
Duration: 15 minutes
4
Jericho
From here we can see the Biblical city of Jericho in the distance. Jericho is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world and most known it as the city conquered by Joshua, when his troops circled the city walls causing them to fall.
5
Qumran Caves
We pass Qumran, a site famed for the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The 2,000 year old parchments bearing the Old Testament were discovered in caves near Qumran.
At this point we transfer to a 4X4 jeep which is suitable to the rough desert terrain. We take an exciting ride through the desert up steep inclines, down ravines and over sand and rock.
6
Metzoke Dragot
With our adrenaline pumping we reach the Cliffs of Dragot where we can look down on the Dragot River. This river only flows where there are winter flash floods.
7
Wadi Murabba'at
We also see the Murbaat Caves with their fascinating square entrances. The Murbaat Caves were explored in the 50s and artifacts from the Chalcolithic era and Bronze era were found. Also discovered in the caves were documents dating back to the 2nd century. One of the texts was penned by the revered Rabbi Shimon Bar Kochba who led the revolt. One of the most important discoveries was a set of tefilin (phylactery). This confirmed that the Jewish traditional tefilin prayer ritual dates back thousands of years.
8
Dead Sea
We end our adventure by washing away the dust of the desert and cooling off in the Dead Sea. We change into our bathing suits and float in the mineral rich water which is 35% salt. We can also use nature's natural face mask, the Dead Sea black mud, and lather it on our faces and bodies to benefit from the mud's therapeutic qualities.
Duration: 2 hours
Additional info
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• This tour operates with a minimum of 4 participants
